What is android phone application

What is Android: Introduction, Features & Applications

Dec 7, 2017 · 8 min read

Android is an operating system for mobile phones that is based on the modified version of the Li n ux.Originally Android was developed by the Android Inc.In 2005, Google purchased the Android and took its development work and also its development team.Google wished that Android to be free and open source that can run on any kind of devices such as mobile phones, tablets and even televisions.Android is open source software that contains the operation system, middleware, and key applications.Android provides the open source facility means anyone can download the code and can modified that code and can use that code easily.

Why use Android? : When we moved to one new technology from older technology, then one question occur in our mind that why we use it. Now we are using Android to achieve the following objectives:

§ Market sharing: In the current era, there are lots of android users. Using android development, we can develop our own application and we can publish that application on Google Play.

§ Android provides the application programming interface (API) to develop the android application. Using this API, we can develop full featured application and after completion this app, we can publish this app on Google play and can earn some money.

§ Open Platform: Android provides the open platform facility. Android application can be developed using any kind of operating system.

§ Compatibility: Android provides cross-platform means android application can run on any type screen, size and resolutions including mobile phones, tablets etc. Google provides the facility to run the application only on the compatible devices such as mobile phones or tablets.

§ Geo-location and social networking: Using android application, users are able to share their location via social networking such as Facebook or Twitter.

Advantage of Android:

§ Android provides the unified approach to develop the android application. It means developers need to develop only Android and then application can run on different devices powered by Android.

§ Android is open source means anyone can download the code and can customize according to their need.

The biggest advantage of android is that when we want to check email and at this time, there is no laptop or computer but we have android phone then using the android phone, we can check the emails.

Features of Android:

§ Android provides the various features such as live RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds, whether details etc.

§ Android provides the facility for push notifications, GPS, storage facility using SQLite.

§ Android provides the connectivity such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GSM, CDMA, LTE, Wi-Max, NFC etc.

§ Android provides the messaging facilities such as SMS, MMS.

§ Android provides the web browser that uses open-source layout web-kit engine and it is coupled with Google Chrome and support HTML5 and CSS3.

Android version 1.0 (API level — 1)

Android version 1.1 Petit Four (API level — 2)

February 9, 2009

Android version 1.5 Cupcake (API level — 3)

Android version 1.6 Donut (API level — 4)

September 15, 2009

Android version 2.0 Éclair (API level — 5)

October 26, 2009

Android version 2.0.1 Éclair (API level — 6)

December 3, 2009

Android version 2.1.7 Éclair (API level — 7)

January 12, 2010

Android version 2.1.7 Éclair (API level — 7)

January 12, 2010

Android version 2.2 Froyo (API level — 8)

Android version 2.2.1 Froyo (API level — 8)

January 18, 2011

Android version 2.2.2 Froyo (API level — 8)

January 22, 2011

Android version 2.2.3 Froyo (API level — 8)

November 21, 2011

Android version 2.3 Gingerbread (API level — 9)

December 6, 2010

Android version 2.3.1 Gingerbread (API level — 9)

December 10, 2010

Android version 2.3.2 Gingerbread (API level — 9)

Android version 2.3.3 Gingerbread (API level — 10)

February 9, 2011

Android version 2.3.4 Gingerbread (API level — 10)

Android version 2.3.5 Gingerbread (API level — 10)

Android version 2.3.6 Gingerbread (API level — 10)

September 2, 2011

Android version 2.3.7 Gingerbread (API level — 10)

September 21, 2011

Android version 3.0 Honeycomb(API level — 11)

February 22, 2011

Android version 3.1 Honeycomb(API level — 12)

Android version 3.2 Honeycomb(API level — 13)

Android version 3.2.1 Honeycomb(API level — 13)

September 20, 2011

Android version 3.2.2 Honeycomb(API level — 13)

Android version 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich(API level — 14)

October 18, 2011

Android version 4.0.1 Ice Cream Sandwich(API level — 14)

November 28, 2011

Android version 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich(API level — 15)

December 16, 2011

Android version 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich(API level — 15)

Android version 4.1 Jelly Bean(API level — 16)

Android version 4.1.1 Jelly Bean(API level — 16)

Android version 4.1.2 Jelly Bean(API level — 16)

Android version 4.2 Jelly Bean(API level — 17)

November 13, 2012

Android version 4.3 Jelly Bean(API level — 18)

Android version 4.4 Kitkat(API level — 19)

October 19, 2013

Android version 4.4.1 Kitkat(API level — 19)

December 5, 2013

Android version 4.4.2 Kitkat(API level — 19)

December 9, 2013

Android version 4.4.3 Kitkat(API level — 19)

Android version 4.4W Kitkat(API level — 20)

Android version 5.0 Lollipop(API level — 21)

November 12, 2014

Android version 5.0.1 Lollipop(API level — 21)

December 2, 2014

Android version 5.0.2 Lollipop(API level — 21)

December 21, 2014

Android version 5.1 Lollipop(API level — 22)

Android version 5.1.1Lollipop(API level — 22)

Android version 6.0 Marshmallow(API level — 23)

Android version 6.0.1 Marshmallow(API level — 23)

December 7, 2015

Android version 7.0 Nougat(API level — 24)

December 7, 2015

Android Framework or Android architecture:Android operating system composed of different software components that are arranged into a stack. The following diagram shows the android architecture:

Android architecture is categorized into following components:

Tools required Android development: Now we are ready to start android application development using the various operating systems such as Windows, Linux, Macs.

Operating System: Android supports following platforms:

· Windows XP or later

· Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later

Computer Hardware: Before we start installing the required software. First we have to check the following hardware requirement:

· A laptop with 1.6GHz processor with at least 1GB RAM

Installing and configuring tools: We have to install the following tools:

· Java JDK 1.5 or later

· Eclipse IDE or Android Studio

Developing and publishing first application in Eclipse:

· Now we are ready to develop our first android application in Eclipse. First we create a simple “Hello Android” application. To develop this project, there is no need of coding.

· Now we create the first android application.

· Now select File => New => Android Application Projectshown in following diagram and click on Android Application Project.

· When we click on this then a dialog box will open and you have to fill all the details and click on Next and click on Finish button then you will show the following window:

To run the application, we need an emulator called AVD.AVD is a virtual Android device which is able to perform such operation like walk, talks, and act like a physical Android device.To configure the AVD to run any version of Android, the SDK must be downloaded and installed.

How to run Android Application: To run the android application, we have to follow some steps:

· Right click on our project in Project explorer.

· Now select Run As => Android Application

· When we click on Android Application then compilation process starts and some processes like building workspace takes place and after some time, AVD launch the application and starts the application and display the main activity of the application.

· If we have more than one activity then we can change the order of activity means we can run any activity when application will launch.

What is Android activity? :

An activity is a screen in the android application that provides the user interface for the application.An activity provides the user interface to the application.An activity is similar to a GUI form or java swing frame.An activity can present the several user interface components such as label, button, spinner (combo-box), list etc.An activity provides the user interface by which user can perform action to do something such as user wants to select the subject from the spinner, then this work can be easily done.

Creating Android Activity: We have already develop an android project. In that project, we have created an activity called MainActivity. Now we have to open the MainActivity.java file as follows:

public class MainActivity extends Activity

/** Called when the activity is first created. */

public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState)

In our application, the entry point is onCreate() method. When any activity is created then the android system provides the default implementation code to the onCreate() method. Here we can define our own custom code to perform the specific actions. We can write the code below the setContent(R.layout.activity_main); Always remember we have to call the following method inside the onCreate() method.

This line is very important to run the application because this line is responsible to direct the base Activity class to build the work for the MainActivity class. If we don’t use this line then we get runtime error.

Android Toast: In android, toast is like a notification or like a simple popup message that appears on the screen and disappears automatically after some time.For example, when we send any message to anyone then one message shown to us “Message Sent” and this message disappears after some seconds; it is known as toast.

How to create Toast? :

You can create toast using following syntax:

Context context = getApplicationContext();

CharSequence text = “Hello eitworld”;

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What is Android? Here is a complete guide for beginners

Today we begin the ‘Android for Beginners’ series. This is the first in a set of courses that ensure you know everything about Android. This introductory course will focus on the origins of Android and give you a list of the key terms you need to know before you start learning more.

What is Android?

Android is software for mobile phones, tablets and a growing range of devices encompassing everything from wearable computing to in-car entertainment. It launched in 2003 and is the world’s most popular mobile operating system (OS).

Android is an open source project (led by Google but it doesn’t belong to them) called AOSP (Android Open Source Project). Google uses this project as a base to create its version of Android, which is then used by the other manufacturers.

As an OS, Android’s job is to act as a translator between you and your gadget. When you take a photo, Android provides the button you tap and tells the phone what to do when you tap it. When you make or receive a call, Android tells your phone how to do that. When you play a game, Android tells the game what movements you’re making and what buttons you’re pressing. It’s like Windows, but for mobile devices.

The Android software itself is developed in conjunction with Google, who releases major updates to the platform every year. Manufacturers which run Android on their phones include Samsung, Huawei, Sony, Lenovo, HTC, LG and many others; it’s currently operational on more than one billion devices.

The Android mascot is a green robot: you might have seen it around.

Just a selection of the phones which run the Android operating system. / © ANDROIDPIT

Where does Android come from?

It comes from Google, who actually acquired Android in 2005 (no, Google didn’t invent it). The search giant performs regular updates along with an annual major update.

The operating system is based on the Linux kernel – if you have friends who work in IT, you may have heard of it. This is the GNU / Linux operating system based structure, which is a unix type system (portable operating system, multitasking and multi-user). The Linux kernel is one of the most prominent examples of free software.

What is the difference between Android and iPhone?

It’s not so much a difference between Android and iPhone but Android and iOS. You see, iOS is the software which runs on iPhones and the differences between this and Android are simultaneously big and small.

Smartphones with Android or iOS installed are capable of doing most of the same things: they can both run apps, connect to Wi-Fi, take photos, send messages etc. But there are many differences in how they look and feel, and the possibilities of both.

• You can read more about how the latest versions of iOS and Android compare here.

The war between Android and iOS will not end soon. / © NextPit

Why does Android look different on each phone?

Android doesn’t look different on every device, but it does have a number of different versions. Android is open-source, which means that manufacturers are free to customize the software and make it their own.

The ‘purest’ version of Android is often referred to as ‘stock Android’ and it’s often preferred by the Android community: it’s the original software as Google intended.

Other user interfaces (UI) include Samsung’s TouchWiz, Sony’s Xperia, and Huawei’s Emotion. See what they all look like in our Android UI comparison.

There are many Android UIs, each with subtle differences. / © ANDROIDPIT

What are the advantages of Android?

Choice. For example, if you want iOS, you have a choice of iPhone, iPhone or iPhone. If you go for Android there are stacks of great devices to choose from, from cheap and cheerful handsets to really impressive flagships. Those flagships are often cheaper than the equivalent Apple devices, too.

Android’s choice isn’t just about hardware. It’s about everything else too. Android is incredibly easy to customize, both in terms of how it looks and how it works, and the various app stores aren’t as tightly controlled as its rivals’ stores, like Apple.

What’s with the candy names?

Each new version of Android gets a code name based on consecutive letters of the alphabet. The most recent version is known as Marshmallow because it is the Android M release. Previous versions have included Lollipop, KitKat, Jelly Bean and Gingerbread.

Android version 4.4 was also known as Android KitKat. / © ANDROIDPIT

What’s the best thing about Android?

Options, many options. With Android you have hundreds of gadgets at your disposal, the cheapest, the most expensive and innovative market. Android is also incredibly customizable, both in their roles, as in his appearance. You can really make a unique mobile experience for yourself with this OS.

What’s the worst thing about Android?

Getting updates. In many cases manufacturers don’t seem to care about providing software updates for devices they’ve already sold you. Even when they do provide updates they take their sweet time about it. That’s why some consider rooting: you can download the updates yourself and apply them instead of waiting for the manufacturer to get around to it.

What is Google Play / Play Store?

The Google Play Store is a digital marketplace where Android users can purchase apps, games, books, movies, music and more. And it’s a big advantage to owning an Android device.

The purchased content is connected to your Google account – something you must have in order to make these purchases – and is available on any device where you log in with your Google account.

• Google Play tips and tricks every Android user needs to know
• Google Play not working? Here’s what you can do

The Google Play Store is where you find all of the available Android apps. / © ANDROIDPIT

Here are some Android terms you should know

Here is a glossary of terms you can refer back to as you continue in our series. Have a read through them right now to get a brief overview. Click on one in the table to jump to the term.

ADB: Stands for Android Debug Bridge, a tool that is used primarily by developers to send commands from a computer to Android. It works as a client-server and gives you tools for the devices for debugging.

APK: Android application package file used to distribute and install apps. This file contains the app code, resources, assets and manifest file.

Application: An application or app is something you use to perform functions on the phone. These range from simple to incredibly complex.

Backup: To keep your data in a safe place in case of a problem where you lose your important information.

Bluetooth: Data transmission system between devices via radio waves without using wires or other connectors.

Bootloading: Procedure that allows you to access recovery mode.

Brick: When the device does not start and becomes unusable due to a configuration error after making a change.

Sometimes you need to factory reset your device. / © ANDROIDPIT

Download Mode: Used to install or replace the firmware of your device or a new ROM.

Factory Reset: Restoring the device to the original settings.

Firmware: The contents of the device’s ROM. To find out the firmware version of your device go the Settings, tap About Phone and hit Software Information.

Flash: Changing the ROM of a device.

Kernel: The core of the operating system. It’s responsible for uniting the software functions and the hardware.

KIES: Samsung application that allows you to update and synchronize the data from your smartphone or tablet.

Launcher: Responsible for customizing the device by modifying the user interface.

MicroSD: Removable memory card format. Smaller than MiniSD, it’s used for mobile devices.

The microSD can provide you with extra internal storage. / © ANDROIDPIT

ODIN: Program to flash your device.

Open Source: Software that is made available to be distributed and modified.

Operating System: Software that controls a device’s basic functions like scheduling tasks and executing applications.

OTA: Stands for ‘Over The Air’ and refers to updates that are made from your device without using cords or other connectors.

QR: Abbreviation for ‘Quick Response’ and is a black and white code that can be scanned with your device to open a link or application.

Recovery Mode: A method of starting your Android in order to install a ROM, wipe your device or format it.

ROM: Stands for ‘Read Only Memory’ and is a type of storage for Android devices. It has the programming for starting a device and performs most of the tasks.

Root: The act of unlocking the Android OS to gain complete control over the device through which you can access hidden files, change the ROM or install certain special apps.

Android Marshmallow is a version of the Android OS. / © ANDROIDPIT

Soft Reset: The act of rebooting your phone, intentionally or not. It has the same effect as when you remove your battery.

Unlock: You must perform this before you can use a SIM card from any carrier.

Widget: ‘Icon’ or part of an application that you can put on your home screen to quickly view information or to access the app faster and easier.

Wipe: Formatting the device. Deletes the external data from the device.

Windows: In Android apps, they are objects that specify the look and feel of the content.

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